This study was made to gain an insight into the mechanism of high-frequency jet ventilation(HFJV) treatment for the pulmonary edema after seawater drowning(PE-SWD). PaO2, PaCO2 and oxygen saturation (SaO2) of the rabbit and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the rabbit's lungs in three groups--PE-SWD group(PE-SWD-G), HFJV group (HFJV-G) and control group(CG), were measured and analysed by the blood-gas analyser and computer image system. The results showed that, after 100 minutes' HFJV, the PaO2, SaO2 and the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the lung capillary endothelial cells in HFJV-G were significantly higher than those in PE-SWD-G(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Three parameters of Na(+)-K(+)-TAPase(G1, D1 and D2) in HFJV-G almost returned to their values in CG. The authors suggest that the increase of PaO2 and SaO2 in the rabbit's artery blood in HFJV-G is closely related to the rehabilitation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in the lungs after HFJV. The mechanism of successful HFJV treatment for PE-SWD is that HFJV can better correct hypoxemia and improve the rehabilitation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in the rabbit's lungs.